Tag Archives: Hong Kong

As promised, I’ve taken on the mammoth task of writing up my Hong Kong beauty haul. If anyone is curious, Hong Kong is an amazing place to shop for makeup and skincare. You’ll find many of the standard Western brands but also plenty of Korean and Japanese brands too, which I was mostly frothing at the mouth with excitement over. I did the bulk of my shopping in the flagship Sasa store in Tsim Sha Tsui (it’s a bit like Sephora) and the Etude House store in Causeway Bay. I went a tad mad with the old credit card but I justified it by telling myself I can’t get most of this shizz in the UK. I’m yet to try any of these products out, but I’ll be sure to write about any stand-out products as and when I use them. So, make sure you’re sitting comfortably, here goes!MASKS
In case you didn’t realise, East Asians are OBSESSED with sheet masks. Go into any Hong Kong pharmacy and you will find a butt load of masks – literally hundreds. I picked up some black head ones, some brightening ones and some moisturising ones. I’m especially looking forward to trying this ridiculous-looking ‘pig nose’ mask, and the little honey packs too, which contain honey (obviously), ginseng, cactus and angelica. Most of these masks have very little English on them so it’s a case of trying them out and hoping for the best. This is what I picked up:

Combos Skin Brightening Dual Booster Masks

Etude House Skin Note Deep Moisturizing Mask

Etude House Skin Note Brightening Hydrogel Mask

Etude House Black Head Remover Dual Sheets

Etude House I Need You, Honey! Wash Off Packs

Holika Holika Pig Nose Clear Black Head Kit

Hadatuko Eye Masks

EYE MAKEUP
Hong Kong is the place to go if you’re looking for false eyelashes, especially natural looking ones. There were so many varieties that are harder to get hold of in the UK, like bottom lashes and outer corner lashes. I also bought some brush-on false eyelash glue which could be handy for on-the-go applications. I’ve no idea if this stuff is waterproof like my usual Duo adhesive but I’m sure it will go the inevitable Friday night post-happy hour sobbing test. Mascaras are pretty big business in HK too, it took me an age to settle on the two I ended up buying, one being a fibre mascara. This is what I bought:

Canmake Glitter Powder Frosty Clear

Canmake Lasting Multi Eye Base

Koji Charming Kiss Eyelash Glue

K-Palette 1 Day Magic Fiber Mascara Black

Sasatinnie Bling Bling Mega Eyes Mascara Black

Koji False Eyelashes No.5 Little Feminine

NAILS
I didn’t go too wild in aisles of the nail section, but I did choose this fabulous looking cuticle pen. It pushes, it trims and it dispenses cuticle oil, so I’m curious to see how well it works. Usually I run a mile when I see any hint of rhinestone but these Swarovski nail art gems caught my eye. I think a couple of them would look beautiful with some nice nude nails. I picked up:

Sasatinnie Gel Topcoat

Jewelry Stones Art 3D Rubber Art Collection

GR Collection 3-in-1 Cuticle Pen

SKIN
Does anyone know if this Maybelline makeup remover is available in the UK? This stuff is awesome! I was in desperate need of an oil based makeup remover and saw this. It’s a dual phase formula and it lifts off stubborn waterproof eye makeup SO EASILY. I’m kicking myself for not buying more of it. I’m also champing at the bit to slap on this ‘mermaid skin’ gel onto my ruddy winter skin. In all honesty, I’m not entirely sure what it does but it’s got a whopping SPF of 50, and anyway, who wouldn’t want the glow of fish scales on their face?! I bought/received as free samples:

Lepoze Heat Clear Cream

Maybelline Clean Express Total Clean Eye & Lip Makeup Remover

Canmake Mermaid Skin Gel

Etude House Collagen Moistfull Cream

Etude House Collagen Moistfull Emulsion

Etude House Collagen Moistfull Facial Freshener

Etude House Precious Mineral BB Cream Samples

LIPS
Surprisingly, I displayed a decent amount of restraint in the lip product department. I was intrigued by these L’Oreal lip tints that are in powder form (a similar version are making their way to the UK I hear). A nice idea but lips must be buffed smoother than a baby’s behind before you put these anywhere near your face. Etude House had some nice lip products too, the lip liner is especially creamy. All in all, I picked up:

L’Oreal Tint Caresse Tulip Blossom

L’Oreal Tint Caresse Peach Blossom

Etude House Rosy Tint Lips 07 Tea Rose

Etude House Soft Touch Auto Lip Liner 01 Soft Rose

Princess Majoca Lip Scrub

TOOLS
By no means do I need another Shu Uemura eyelash curler but these cost half as much as they do in the UK so I thought I’d pick up a spare set. I also bought a metal lash comb to help sort out over-zealous mascara application, and a lip brush with a lid for my handbag. I bought:

Shu Uemura Eyelash Curler

Shishida Seishindo Metallic Lash Comb

Lu.Face Lip Brush

And there we have it. Let me know if you’ve tried any of these products out, or if there’s anything in particular you want a review on. Like I mentioned above, I’ll write up posts about anything that’s especially good (or, God forbid, shockingly bad).